Posts: 1 to 25 of 31

Topic: Clean scan

Hi all,

Had an MRI today to check out a small spot by my gall bladder that didn't release the dye as well last scan. My wonderful PCP just called tonight to let me know that it looked great! That spot was almost gone, leading them to believe it's a scan remnant and not a problem. They even said "no suspicion of cholangiocarcinoma at this spot"! Everything else was fine like it was on the previous scan. It's been 3 years and almost 8 months since my surgery.

I am a very lucky person! I wish everyone on this site was able to post under this topic with good news.

Now I just have to pass my psychopharmacology test tomorrow night and I will have relieved most of my stress.

Re: Clean scan

YIPPEE Randi, we both passed our Scans today. If we lived closer we could go out and celebrate!!! Much good luck on your test tomorrow. Love Ya, Randi girl!

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME! Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: Clean scan

My mom just had her resection 2 days ago and I was wondering if when you had your initial resection not sure if you had more than 1... Did you have clean margins and not do chemo?? And I notice you live in NY are you being seen at Sloan? At this time are you under the care of just your PCP and oncologist??

Re: Clean scan

Re: Clean scan

Superb news Randi! Well chuffed for you!!!! Love hearing all of these good news scan results!

And good luck with your exam Randi, I know you'll be fine with that!

Any advice or comments I give are based on personal experiences and knowledge and are my opinions only, they are not to be substituted for professional medical advice. Please seek professional advice from a qualified doctor or medical professional.

Re: Clean scan

Thanx all!

Daisy:

I had a Whipple, which I think of as different from a resection (could be wrong). My cancer was extrahepatic (so no liver involvement) and they removed my gall bladder, the head of my pancreas, my duodenum and lots of ducts and such and re-plumbed me. I did have clean margins and no lymph node involvement (stage 2b) and I had 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemzar).

I live in Western NY so no, I am not treated at Sloan (Hilton is 380 miles from MSK and NYCl). I am treated at Strong Memorial Hospital - Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, NY, and yes I see my PCP, oncologist (who orders my scans) and occasionally my GI doc.

This is just my situation and all situations are different, have different courses and different outcomes. To do or not to do Chemo is a very personal decision, one made with the facts of an individual case only and I am in no way suggesting that what I did works for all, but it appears to work for me. It's important to know the facts of your case and discuss them with your doctor before making any decisions.

Re: Clean scan

Great news, dear friend and I'm sure you passed your exam!!

My beautiful daughter, Lauren Patrice, will live on in my heart forever.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Re: Clean scan

Yes Daisy, that is true. While it was not something that the doctor thought i HAD to do, it was strongly suggested to me and after some second opinions and a lot of research and discussion with my family, I decided to do it. Again, it is a very personal decision whether to do Chemo or not.

Thanx Lainy, Willow, Gavin, Marion and Pam!! My school test is over and I am sure I passed (which was my goal, i gave up on an A awhile ago in that class). On to the next semester...all I have is 2 classes, my internship, my research and thesis to complete, a one week intensive training (with a once a week online class), and the national boards. Should be a piece of cake I think my scan was clear because obviously I have no time to deal with illness this semester

Re: Clean scan

Randi, you remind me of the 'little engine that could'. I have no doubt the rest will go smoothly. Wish we all lived closer so we could have a Graduation party!

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME! Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: Clean scan

Daisy.....although, no studies have proven the efficacy of adjuvant therapy, the majority of physicians recommend it. The closest we will come to an answer are the results of the BILCAP study conducted in the UK. This clinical trial is comparing surgery and capecitabine (XELODA) results to those of surgery alone. Data will be released in 2014. Hugs,Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Re: Clean scan

Sounds like you're going to be a tad busy then Randi..... I'm sure that you'll do very well! And indeed, no time at all for you to be worrying about illnesses or anything like that!!

Any advice or comments I give are based on personal experiences and knowledge and are my opinions only, they are not to be substituted for professional medical advice. Please seek professional advice from a qualified doctor or medical professional.

Re: Clean scan

Hi Randi,

So glad to hear of your clean scan!!!

I'm with you and sure you passed that exam!!! Your upcoming schedule exhausted me just reading it!!! You are one amazing person!!! I'm excited to hear of all your upcoming successes, as I know you will do well because of your attitude and determination!!!

Re: Clean scan

Re: Clean scan

Hi all,

I had my visit with my oncologist today and he said I don't need to come back for a YEAR!! I think the longest I have gone without a scan is 5 months, so a year sounded really great to me (and a little scary). He made a good point. He said that after 4 years the likelihood of a recurrence is very low since I have not had any disease since before my Whipple surgery and chemo. He said he considers me "cured" and that any more scans would cause unnecessary alarm for little things that are nothing (like I have been having for the past 2 years).

He said that I should have a normal life expectancy. I'll let you know if I believe that when I am 90

I am excited and nervous, but I really trust this guy and I feel great!

Re: Clean scan

OMGOSH Randi, What a day to celebrate! Celebration Time Come On! I so wish I lived near you right now to Celebrate with you. OMG, OMG, I am over the moon right now not to mention over the hill as well! I am so excited for you. I LOVE you and I am so happy for you and your family. ENJOY! I want to just ramble on and on but I know you get the idea! I couldn't be happier if you were my own daughter!

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME! Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: Clean scan

P.S. Randi did I tell you how happy I am for you! Man, I can't seem to stop! I would have posted this as a NEW Thread for a new life!

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME! Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: Clean scan

Thank you, thank you, thank you Lainy!!

I didn't want to start a new thread because it seems like I am bragging when so many people are struggling with so much. I wish everyone could have been diagnosed as early as I was and had the same outcome. My Onc said of all my cancers...you are just unlucky, but then very lucky. I said I am a Bad News/Good News kind of person.

Re: Clean scan

Randi, if I may, in a Mother like way, "You are NOT bragging, you are giving HOPE!

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME! Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.